D.T. Brown Blog

After unpacking, inspect the roots and, if bare root and dry, stand the plants in a bucket of water for up to an hour to moisten the root system thoroughly. Ensure potted trees are well watered.

Kiwis are a fantastic fruit to grow that have a wonderful flavour and contain many beneficial nutrients. Though they may be thought of as exotic fruits, certain varieties can be grown in the UK under the right conditions. With our in-depth growing guide below, you can discover the best ways to grow kiwi plants here in the UK to produce delicious, fresh-grown fruit. We’ve got expert tips on where to grow them, how to care for them, and everything you need to make your crop excellent.

The Honeyberry is a species of Honeysuckle that produces sweet, tasty fruit. The fruit is similar to a blueberry and is produced early in the season; at least two weeks before strawberries. Exceptionally hardy with an eventual height and spread of 3ft.

Although they are very hardy plants, when grown outdoors grapes need as much sun as possible to ripen the fruits. In southern England, outdoor varieties will also succeed when trained onto wire supports in a more open position or can be accommodated on a trellis or pergola.

Blackcurrants and Casseille fruit best on one-year-old wood and the aim of pruning is to ensure that the oldest wood is continuously replaced with vigorous new growths.

Blueberries are ready for picking when they are blue-black, soft and detach easily from their stalks. As they don't all ripen together it is usual to go over the bushes several times at about 4-5 day intervals. Ripe cranberries are a dark red colour and, being rather tedious to pick, it is probably best to wait until all are ripe before harvesting.

All of these berries can be grown effectively against a boundary wall or fence. Otherwise plant in rows 1.8-2.1m (6-7ft) apart, each running north to south to catch maximum sunlight and supported on a system of posts and wires about 1.8m (6ft) in height. Strain four wires horizontally between the posts at 30cm (1ft) intervals, starting with the first wire at about 90cm (3ft) from the ground.

Originating in Western Asia, figs need plenty of sun and warmth. In favourable areas of the south and west they can be trained as free-standing bushes but, in most of the southern half of the country, they are best trained on a warm south- or west-facing wall. Elsewhere, they should be grown in large containers which can be moved inside, e.g. into a shed, during severe weather.